Duties

• Responsible for proper patient identification, proper sample procurement, and proper specimen labeling following guidelines from The Joint Commission (TJC) and the College of American Pathologists (CAP) "Patient Safety Goals. Properly identifies all patients with two identifiers to assure the accuracy of the specimen collected and documents collection appropriately.
• Uses judgment and independently resolves identification discrepancies through staff contacts as needed.
• Performs phlebotomy procedures following a sequence of steps approved for sample collection. Independently responsible for selecting the best venipuncture site, most suitable phlebotomy equipment (needle type, size and length), most appropriate cleansing agent(s), proper collection vials and assessing the patient's condition before, during and after the procedure.
• Knowledge of medical conditions/therapy (e.g. diabetes, anticoagulation, fainting, hematomas) and applies that knowledge while the patient is in their care. Independently determines the need and initiates a Medical Emergency, Code Blue and/or Code Green for a violent patient. In the event of a Medical Emergency or Code Blue, the phlebotomist administers initial intervention until specialized assistance arrives on the scene.
• Observes and reports any physical or mental changes while patients are being drawn. Follows the Laboratory procedures for collecting specimens in the appropriate container, maintains specimen under appropriate conditions, follows guidelines for collecting timed specimens at the appropriate times to insure specimen viability.
• Responsible for the sterile collection and dispersal of physician requested patient clean catch urinalysis specimens, urine cultures, and 24-hr urine collections.
• Provides education to patients for proper collection techniques of urine, stool, or other fluid collections.
• Responsible for participation in method comparison to evaluate the use of new equipment and processes and compare them with those being used in terms of adherence to accreditation and safety requirements.
• Makes recommendations to management for use of devices based on outcomes.
• Responsible for preparation of the collection site and for drawing blood cultures without contamination.
• Receives requests for testing and specimens into the laboratory and verifies the accuracy and completeness of the request.
• Separates and routes the specimens to the specific laboratory section that performs the testing.
• Assists healthcare personnel who deliver specimens by directing them to place the specimens in the proper location based on the type of testing and the laboratory section.
• Receives all specimens that are sent to commercial reference laboratories for testing. The individual must be knowledgeable about the specimen requirement for each reference laboratory test and the test ordering procedures for each of the reference laboratories.
• Verifies proper patient preparation, specimen collection, and specimen transport requirements for all reference laboratory tests.
• Responsible for performing a limited amount of patient testing which includes, but is not limited to urine pregnancy testing, bleeding times, Fecal Occult Blood testing, I-Stat, Troponins, and/or the Iris.
• He/she performs established quality control procedures to check the accuracy and validity of the test results.
• Identifies unusual test results or discrepancies/conditions that can be erroneous results (instrument malfunction, conditions of test performance, reaction systems, and/or test procedures).
• Complies with all Medical Center policies and procedures regarding safety practices.
• Demonstrates working knowledge of the appropriate safety protocol to include standard precautions, sharps handling, facility safety program, use of personal protective equipment in designated areas, and performs proper hand washing techniques.
• Assesses the validity of a process, recognizing common environmental or other considerations that could affect the process.
• Recognizes when either specimen preparation or equipment and instrumentation settings might invalidate results.
• Seeks assistance from higher graded technical staff for unusual or unique circumstances. Responsible to maintain adequate supplies for all phlebotomy and specimen procurement procedures ensuring work area is adequately stocked.
• Assists in the purchase, inventory, and distribution of various laboratory supplies.
• Requests supply orders, ensuring that adequate time is allowed for ordering and delivery.
• Orients and trains new employees/students in all aspects of phlebotomy and waived testing.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 7:30 am - 4:00 pm
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Position Description/PD#: Medical Technician/PD15225A
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• You may be required to serve a probationary period
• Subject to background/security investigation
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP)
• Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 08/10/2022.

You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below:

• General/Specialized Experience: Applicants must possess (6) months of general experience and (6) months of specialized experience which equips you with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the Medical Technician - Phlebotomy, GS-4. General Experience is: (1) Any type of work that demonstrates the applicant's ability to perform the work of the position, or (2) experience that provided a familiarity with the subject matter or processes of the broad subject area of the occupation. Examples of specialized experience include: (a) Technical medical laboratory support work such as performing laboratory tests and examinations (chemical, microbiologic, hematologic and blood banking) and preparing reports of findings or (b) technical support work in a closely related field, e.g., biological laboratory technician work, that required application of the methods and techniques for the position to be filled. OR,
• Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have successfully completed (a) an associate-degree course of study of which the 2nd year of the 2-year program included successful completion of a training course of approximately a year's duration in a certified laboratory assistant school approved by a nationally recognized accrediting agency OR (b) 1 year of study that included 6 semester hours in chemistry and/or the biological sciences, plus successful completion of the training course as described in medical or clinical laboratory assistant (or technician) school that included instruction in chemistry, hematology, blood banking, and microbiology (including serology) and that, in addition, included supervised laboratory practice incident to the diagnostic process and the treatment of patients; or (c) 2 years of study that included at least 12 semester hours of chemistry and/or biological science course work that must have been directly related to the specialization of the position to be filled. OR,
• Combination: Combination of successfully completed post high school education and specialized experience, as described above, may be used to meet total qualification requirements at the GS-04 level. If education is used to meet specialized experience requirements, then such education must include courses directly related to the work of the position and must have been obtained in an accredited college or university.

You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position:

• Specimen Collection
• Customer Service
• Patient Care
• Quality Assurance

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Note: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment.

Physical Requirements: The work requires regular and recurring physical exertion to include lifting moderate to heavy items 45 lbs and over, heavy carrying 45 lbs and over, reaching above the shoulder, use of fingers, both hands required, walking for 2 hours, standing for two hours, repeated bending, both legs required, near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaegar 1 to 4,both eyes required, depth perception, ability to distinguish basic colors, heating aid permitted.

For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/ .

Education

A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/ . If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html .

Additional information

Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.

Special Employment Consideration: VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply, including those eligible for hiring under 5 CFR 213.3102(u), Schedule A, Appointment of persons with disabilities [i.e., intellectual disabilities, severe physical disabilities, or psychiatric disabilities], and/or Disabled veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30% or more. Contact the Agency Contact for information on how to apply under this appointment authority via the Selective Placement Coordinator.

The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced Federal/VA competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be qualified you must submit appropriate documentation (a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location) and be found well-qualified for this vacancy. To be well-qualified : applicants must possess experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors, and who are proficient in most of the required competencies of the job. Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website at http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/ .

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process.

If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application .